Akeelah and the Bee

Dr. Larabee: Where do you think big words come from?
Akeelah: People with big brains?

Watching Akeelah and the Bee was a real nightmare for me. I HATE SPELLING. I REALLY DO. If I can remember well the last spelling activity I did was when I was 8 years old because my aunt forced me to. If you’ve never seen the movie, reserve a night to rent it with your kids. You’ll be surprised at the drama that can be built around something as old school as the spelling bee. It is a heart warming film about a girl from a predominantly black middle school in Los Angeles who defies the odds to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee. This film proves it is not the winning at the end of the film, but the journey there that makes us who we are.

Akeelah was just another eleven year old who happens to be good at spelling, fond of skipping classes and missing homework; one of those kids whose content to simply get by, especially if it means avoiding showing people that she is actually smart. Forced into the school’s first spelling bee, and quickly finds herself on a path that leads to the national competition. This film preaches that with proper training, talent can flourish.

In our classrooms, we might run into this kind of intelligent but quiet student. So what should we do? A little encouragement goes a long way, and like the film, proper training can thrive talent.

In the film, Dr.Larabee only helped Akeelah learn how to spell, but also tried to teach her about her culture and help her find a way to accept her intelligence instead of hiding it. Akeelah herself was not confident in her ability at first, but when pushed, she managed to strive and do the best that she can winning her school's spelling bee. But Dr.Larrabee pushes her further, believing that Akeelah is an intelligent child and she can learn more by proper training. At first, Akeelah is stubborn and hard headed that she doesn't need any help to win the next spelling-bee. However, Dr. Larabee shows Akeelah that she doesn't know all the words to win. Dr.Larrabee reminds us to remind our students to not be too arrogant with their talent, but to b humble and learn from people who can help them be better. In the teaching perspective, Dr.Larabee stressed on the teaching of concepts. Dr.Larabee taught Akeelah how to appreciate and deconstruct language and words. He taught her linguistics and literature, subjects that Akeelah initially thinks are a waste of time when she should be studying actual, specific words. The point of Larabee's methods is that regardless of whether or not Akeelah makes it to the national bee, let alone wins it, he is gifting her tools that will benefit her more than being a winner will.

I am certain that there in the little corner of our classroom, there is a talented child waiting to be discovered and guided towards the best of their ability. Akeelah and the Bee is a movie about learning to believe in yourself, realizing that obstacles can be opportunities and that with perseverance and hard work, anyone can reach their goals. Worth the time to watch.